The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1887-04-15
but what are we to do?"

u
why, have picked up dinner" answered
Ella, you just leave me to manage it for
you"
"But I'm afraid the deacon won't like it,"
said Mrs. Smart.
"Well. and if he doesn't? You don't like
the peddler business, do your" quickly re-
torted Ella.
AT one o'clock the table was spread, with
three huge central platters carefully shielded
with the covers which were ordinarily
brought out only on state occasions, and Mrs.
Smart and Ella were peeping out of the
window and wondering what kept the dea-
con so late.
"There he come now ~ said Mrs. Smart
Midmay coming home with himl We never
counted on his bringing company to dinner,
Ella"
what signifies company 7" asked Ella,
stoGtly maintaining her composure, although
her pretty face had turned pink all over
willis Midmay won't care when he COM
prehends it all. Willis is sensible man."
"Come in, Mr.. Smart--come in, Mr.. Mild
may" said Mrs. Smart You're half an
hour late, Ebenezer. Ella and I could not
imagine what had become of you"
II hope I'm not intruding," said Mr.
Mildmay, looking at Ella as If one glance at
utE TUsy luCe WIS aii tnG uluUeT lie Wa0teu.
"Oh, not in the least p replied Mrs. Smart
"Pray sit down. We have but a plain din.
ner to-day, but it is all that my housekeeping
allowance would admit"
mo apologies, my DEAR" said Deacon
Smart-'no apologies. Hunger is the best
sauce, as we all know"
Thereupon, they all seated themselves at
the table, and the deacon whisked off the big
platter covers with a countenance of expecta-
ton.
"Hullow y said the deacon.
There upon the centre platter lay the egh-
teen green papers of pins. At the right and
left, on smaller platters, were arranged the
cards of porcelain buttons, and the rolls of
tape and the shoestrings, while the bottles of
machine oil and packages of stOvebacking
were arranged like child's block house on
a side table, beneath white napkin, by way
OF dessert.
Ella burst out laughing. Mrs. Smart join
ed in Willis Mldmay, spurred on by the in
fectuOus sound, laughed too, although he
had not the least idea what he was laughing
at. The deacon stared as if he had suddenly
become all eyes.
"Juliana, he said, "what is the meaning of
all this?"
at means, Ebenezer, that you have spent
my housekeeping money for peddler's Cheap
wares, and that Ella and | determined to
serve Them up to you for dinner And what
you don't eat We are going to burn and
hcnceforward, whatever is bought has got TO
be of good quality, or | won't have it in the
house! And if you give me money for house
keeping it isn't fair for you TO spend it buy
ing articles which no one can usel"
Certainly it isnt!' said Ella, coming
valiantly TO the rescue.
The deacon's under jaw dropped he had
half mind to be angry, but he thought bet
ter oft. and broke into low chucklc
"Mr. Midway" lie said, turning to the
young man, abe warned in time You see
what tricks women folks will always be up
to-"
But Mr. Mildmay, who had somehow or
other got hold of Elias hand under the folds
of the tableclotb, did not seem to heed these
words of wisdom as deeply as he should have
done under the circumstances.
Ladies'" he said, there's a bushe of oys-
tiers out in the wagon, that was taking home
lfyou will build up good fire we'll have
roast, and I'll be head cook. l suppose
you've go, plenty of good bread and butter ?"
Yes, and nice hot coffee" said Mrs. Smart
Make haste, Ella, and start the fire to blaze
and we will stimulate it little with machine
oil and pins ...--.
The deacon made no demur. He only
laughed in sheepish, silent sort of a way.
And they dined off hot roast oysters, bread
and butter and coffee. Towards the close of
therepast stout iterated vender, with
basket on his arm, tapped on the door.
~ hope l see your honor well? ?" said he,
with regular professional whine. "Wil zee
buy something to-day? Pins, needles, shoe
lace, hair pins, or little"
But Deacon Smart shut the door in the
midst of his Grafton.
mo y he said.
And that monosyllable sealed Mrs. Smart's
triumph for good and ALL